Combined lighting and ventilating fixture



May 10, 1966 4 E. F. ZURAWSKI 3,250,204

COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING FIXTURE Filed June 11, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 L17 5 5 INVENTOR.

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May 10, 1966 E. F. ZURAWSKI COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING FIXTURE Filed June 11, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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May 10, 1966 E. F. ZURAWSKI 3,250,204

COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING FIXTURE Filed June 11, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v IN VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,250,204 COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING FIXTURE Edward F. Zurawski, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Garey Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Filed June 11, 1962, Ser. No. 201,564 7 Claims. (Cl. 98-40) tures for the passage of air. The apertures in the ledges may comprise a single continuous slot along each ledge, but it is preferred to have a series of intermittent slots to provide greater strength for the longitudinal edges of the reflector. All of the reflectors are fabricated alike, whether or not they are to be associated with an air flow duct. After the fixtures are installed all of them have an identical appearance, regardless of whether or not the reflectors are secured to air flow ducts.

The ventilating structure comprises an air flow duct, means for regulating the flow of air through said duct, a discharge opening, and means for positioning the air flow duct properly relative to the lighting fixture so that the discharge opening of the air flow duct is in flow communication with the apertured ledge of the reflector. The air flow duct is a complete unit and may be handled as a unit.

The air flow duct may be assembled with the reflector either at the factory or at the job before the lighting fixture is installed, or the lighting fixture may be secured to the air flow duct. after the air flow duct has been installed. The structural features that permit assembly of the lighting and ventilating structures before or 'after installation are particularly advantageous in connection with local building trades union rules. In some localities where union rules do not interfere, both units may be assembled before installation and the combined fixture may be installed as a unit. Where union rules require that the ventilating fixtures be installed by sheet metal workers and the lighting fixtures be installed by electricians, the air flow ducts are secured to the ceiling or other suitable support first, and are adjusted to provide uniform distribution of air. The lighting fixtures are then installed and secured to the ducts without disturbing the adjustment of the ducts. 'It is not necessary for the sheet metal Worker to come back on the job to make pipe connections after the reflector has been secured to the air flow duct. The ducts are omitted from the fixtures that do not require the ventilation feature, and all of the fixtures have identical appearance after the installation is complete.

The air flow duct is provided with a deflector concentrically arranged relative to the inlet. In the illustrated embodiment the air inlet is cylindrical and the deflector is conical, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these specific shapes. A sleeve mounted for axial movement in the inlet and adapted to regulate the flow of air into the air duct may be adjusted by means extended through the top wall of the reflector. The axial movement of the sleeve is preferably obtained by threaded engagement of a post rigidly secured to said sleeve with a tubular post extending from the top of the reflector, but any suitable means may be used .for moving the sleeve relative to the inlet and deflector. The air duct is tapered in thickness continuously from the inlet to the discharge opening to avoid whistling noises that are normally incidental to the flow of air rushing through a restricted opening.

3,250,264 Patented May 1 0, 1966 The structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention may be attained will be fully described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air flow duct and a reflector ready to be secured together;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the lighting fixture air air flow duct in assembled relationship;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 55 of FIG. -2. I

Referring to the drawings, the lighting fixture includes a reflector 2 having a top wall 3 and depending side walls 4. Fluorescent tubes 5 are mounted in the reflector in any suitable manner, and a diffuser panel 6 may be mounted below the tubes 5. The lower edge portion of each side wall 4 is bent upwardly and then outwardly, as indicated at 7 and 8, to form a laterally extending ledge 9 provided with a pluralityof apertures 10 through which air may flow. A

continuous slot may be substituted for the apertures 10, but it is preferred to use a series of individual apertures spaced uniformly along the length of each ledge. The separate apertures provide greater structural strength for the unit.

Each ledge 9 terminates in an outwardly extending flange 11 adapted to rest on a suitable support 12 (FIG. 3). -Each end of the reflector has a flange 11' also adapted to rest upon a support 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The outward direction of each flange 11 leaves an unobstructed air space below each ledge 9. The upper end of support 12 is secured to the. ceiling or other supporting member. Top wall 3 of the reflector is providedwith an opening 13, and a tubular post 14, having a base 15 fitting in opening 13, extends above top wall 3. Preferably the perimeter of base 15 coincides with the perimeter of opening 13 and base 15 is welded in place. Tubular post 14 is centrally positioned relative to top wall 3 for reasons hereinafter disclosed.

An air flow duct 16 comprises an inner wall 17 shaped to fit against top wall 3 and an outer wall 18 spaced therefrom. An air inlet 19, preferably cylindrical, is welded or otherwise secured to the edges of outer wall 18 that define a centrally disposed opening 20. The air flow duct is tapered in thickness continuously from inlet 19 to the outer edges of said duct so that the air flowing through the duct will not make the whistling sounds that normally accompany air rushing through a restricted opening.

The lower longitudinal edges of air flow duct 16 each terminate in a discharge opening 21 that fits snugly over the upper edge surface of ledge 9. Air flow duct 16 has end walls 22 extending between its inner and outer walls so as to form a unit completely closed except at inlet 19, discharge opening 21, and an opening 23 through which tubular post 14 extends when reflector 2 is detachably secured to air flow duct 16. A threaded stud 24 is welded to inner wall 17 and extends through an aperture 25 in top wall 3- whenthe reflector and air flow duct are p0si tion-ed in cooperating relationship. A wing nut 26 is tightened on stud 24 to prevent accidental separation of the reflector from the air flow duct.

When the reflector is detachably secured to the air flow duct, as shown in FIG. 3, the air from the inlet flows through the air flow duct and through the discharge openings 21 and the apertures 10 to ventilate the room in which the combined fixtures are mounted. The air flow from air inlet 19 is directed through the air flow duct by a deflector 27 extending upwardly from inner wall 17 to the upper edge of tubular post 14'. The base of deflector 27 comprises an annular flange 28 extending laterally outwardly from its lower edge and welded to the upper surface of inner wall 17. The deflector is preferably conical and is arranged concentrically with inlet 19 which is preferably circular.

The amount of air flowing through air duct 16 is controlled =by a tubular sleeve 29 mounted for axial movement in the air inlet. Metal strips 30 secured to the upper edge of sleeve 29, as indicated at 31, support a threaded post 32 in axial alignment with tubular post 14. The end of post 32 threaded into tubular post 14 is provided with a slot 33 accessible to a screw driver or similar tool that may be inserted through post 14 to rotate post 32. Inlet 19 is connected to a source of air under pressure, and rotation of post 32 in one direction moves sleeve 29 toward deflector 27 to reduce the opening therebetween and consequently reduces the quantity of air flowing through the air duct. Rotation of post 32 in the opposite direc tion increases the flow of air through duct16.

Although a threaded interengagement between posts 32 and 14 is preferred, it will be understood that post 32 may be slidable in post 14, if desired. Any suitable means may be used for holding sleeve 29 in the desired position of adjustment if post 32 is slidable in post 14. If the air inlet and sleeve are not cylindrical, it will be obvious that the sleeve cannot be rotated in the inlet. In such case post 32 may be rotatable relative to the strips 30, and may be provided with collars on the top and bottom of said strips to move the sleeve vertically in either direction as post 32 is rotated in post 14.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of construction may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described.

I claim:

1. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector having-a top wall, a pair of side walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall, each of said side walls having a lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said ledges being apertured for the passage of air, an air flow duct having an inner wall shaped to fit against said reflector and extending downwardly from said top wall into proximity to each of said ledges, an outer wall spaced from said inner wall and generally coextensive therewith, and end walls closing the spaces between said inner and outer wall-s above the lower edges thereof, the spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls comprising a discharge opening for said air flow duct, said top wall having an aperture therein, means for securing said duct to said top wall with said discharge opening in flow communication with said apertured ledges, said duct having a cylindrical air inlet comprising a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said aperture, a conical deflector enclosed within said duct and extending into said air inlet, a tubular sleeve mounted in said air inlet, said sleeve being movable axially of said air inlet, and means for regulating the position of said sleeve relative to said conical deflector to vary the flow of air through said duct.

2. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector and an air fiow duct, said reflector comprising a top wall and a pair of side walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall, each of said side walls having a'lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said ledges being apertured for the passage of air, said air flow duct having an inner wall dimensioned to fit against said reflector, an outer wall spaced from said inner wall, and end walls closing the spaces between said inner and outer walls above the lower edges thereof, said outer wall having an aperture therein, the spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls forming discharge openings fitting snugly against said apertured ledges, said air flow duct having a cylindrical air inlet comprising a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said aperture, a cylindrical sleeve mounted in said air inlet, said sleeve being movable axially of said air inlet, a conical deflector enclosed within said duct and extending concentrically in said cylindrical air inlet, and screw means for regulating the position of said sleeve relativeto said conical deflector to vary the flow of air through said duct.

3. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall,- each of said side walls having a lateral ledge, extending outwardly adjacent its'lower edge, said ledges being apertured for the passage of air, an air flow duct having an inner wall shaped to fit against the top wall of said reflector and an outer wall spaced from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls being generally coextensive and extending downwardly from said top wall into proximity to each of said ledges, said outer wall having an aperture therein, end walls closing the spaces between said inner and outer walls above the lower edges thereof, the. spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls forming discharge openings in flow communication with said apertured ledges, a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure, said conduit comprising a cylindrical air inlet extending into said aperture through said outer wall into flow communication with said duct, a conical deflector enclosed within said duct and extending from said inner wall into said air inlet, a tubular sleeve mounted in said air inlet, said sleeve being movable axially of said inlet, and means accessible from below the top wall of said reflector for regulating the position of said sleeve relative to said conical deflector to vary the flow of air through said duct.

4. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector and an air flow duct, said reflector comprising a top 'wall and a pair of side Walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall, each of said side walls having a lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said ledges being apertured for the passage of air, said air flow duct having an inner wall dimensioned to fit against said reflector, an outer Wall spaced from said inner wall, and end walls closing the spaces between said inner and outer walls above the lower edges thereof, said outer wall having an aperture therein, the spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls forming discharge openings fitting snugly against said apertured ledges, said air flow duct having a cylindrical air inlet comprising a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said aperture, a cylindrical sleeve mounted in said air inlet, said sleeve being movable axially of said air inlet, a conical deflector within said duct, said conical deflector having a base permanently secured to said duct and a peak positioned concentrically within said air inlet, a tubular post secured to said reflector and said conical deflector, a post connected to said sleeve to move it axially of said air inlet, said second mentioned post fitting within said tubular post, and means for moving said second mentioned post within said tubular post to regulate the position of said sleeve relative to said conical deflector and thereby vary the flow of air through said duct.

5. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall, each of said side walls having a lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said ledges being apertured for the passage of air, an air flow duct having an inner wall dimensioned to fit against the top and side walls of said reflector and an outer wall spaced from said inner wall,

said inner .and outer walls being generally coextensive and extending downwardly into proximity to each of said Wall having an aperture therein, a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said aperture, the spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls comprising discharge openings for said duct, and interengageable means on the inner Wall of said duct and the top wall of said reflector for removably securing said duct and said reflector together, said discharge openings being in flow communication with said ledges when said duct and re flector are secured together by said interengageable means.

6. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector having a top wall, a pair of side walls depending from opposite edges of said top wall, each of said side walls having a lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said top wall having an aperture, said lodges being apertured for the passage of air, an air flow duct having an inner wall dimensioned to fit against the top and side walls of said reflector, an outer Wall spaced from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls being generally coextensive and extending downwardly into proximity to each of said ledges, end walls closing the spaces 'between said inner and outer walls above the lower edges thereof, said outer wall having an aperture therein, a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said last mentioned aperture, the spaces between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls comprising discharge openings for said duct, said discharge openings being in flow communication with said ledges when said inner wall is fitted against the top and side walls of said reflector, a stud depending from said inner wall and extending through said first mentioned aperture when said air duct is fitted against said reflector, and means fitting on said stud for detachably securing said air duct to saidreflector whereby said reflector and air duct may be 7 installed individually or as a single unit.

7. A combined lighting and ventilating fixture comprising a reflector having a top wall and a pair of side walls, each of said side walls having a lateral ledge extending outwardly adjacent its lower edge, said ledges each having a plurality of apertures for the passage of air, an air flow duct having an inner wall shaped to fit against the top Wall of said reflector and extending downwardly from said top wall into proximity to each of said ledges, an outer wall spaced from said inner wall and generally coextensive therewith, and end walls closing the spaces between said inner and outer walls above the lower edges thereof, the lower edges of said inner and outer walls engaging said ledges on opposite sides of said apertures, said outer wall having an opening therein, said duct having dis-charge openings between the lower edges of said inner and outer walls in flow communication with said apertures, a tubular conduit connected to a source of air under pressure and having one end mounted in said first mentioned opening, said tubular conduit comprising an air inlet in flow communication with said duct, a tubular deflector enclosed within said duct and extending into said air inlet, a tubular sleeve mounted in said air inlet and surrounding the upper portion of said conical deflector, said sleeve being movable axially of said air inlet, and means for moving said sleeve relative to said deflector to vary the flow of air through said duct, said last mentioned means holding said sleeve in any adjusted position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN F. OCONNOR, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, WILLIAM F. ODEA,

- Examiners. 

1. A COMBINED LIGHTING AND VENTILATING FIXTURE COMPRISING A REFLECTOR HAVING A TOP WALL, A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, DEPENDING FROM OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID TOP WALL, EACH OF SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING A LATERAL LEDGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY ADJACENT ITS LOWER EDGE, SAID LEDGES BEING APERTURED FOR THE PASSAGE OF AIR, AN AIR FLOW DUCT HAVING AN INNER WALL SHAPED TO FIT AGAINST SAID REFLECTOR AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID TOP WALL INTO PROXIMITY TO EACH OF SAID LEDGES, AN OUTER WALL SPACED FROM SAID INNER WALL AND GENERALLY COEXTENSIVE THEREWITH, AND END WALLS CLOSING THE SPACES BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS ABOVE THE LOWER EDGES THEREOF, THE SPACES BETWEEN THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS COMPRISING A DISCHARGE OPENING FOR SAID AIR FLOW DUCT, SAID TOP WALL HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID DUCT TO SAID TOP WALL WITH SAID DISCHARGE OPENING IN FLOW COMMUNICATION WITH SAID APERTURED LEDGES, SAID DUCT HAVING A CYLINDRICAL AIR INLET COMPRISING A TUBULAR CONDUIT CONNECTED TO A SOURECE OF AIR UNDER PRESURE AND HAVING ONE END MOUNTED IN SID APERTURE, A CONICAL DEFLECTOR ENCLOSED WITHIN SAID DUCT AND EXTENDING INTO SAID AIR INLET, A TUBULAR SLEEVE MOUNTED IN SAID AIR INLET, AND SLEEVE BEING MOVABLE AXIALLY OF SAID AIR INLET, AND MEANS FOR REGULATING THE POSITION OF SAID SLEEVE RELATIVE TO SAID CONICAL DEFLECTOR TO VARY THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH SAID DUCT. 